Patents by Inventor Haren S. Gandhi

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NO, conversion by placing an NH3-SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3-SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap—enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3-SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3-SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3-SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap-enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3-SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: A catalyst system for use with an internal combustion engine to provide emissions reductions under lean and stoichiometric operating conditions. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst comprised of a newly developed Perovskite-based formulation having an ABO3 crystal structure designed to bring the precious metal and NOx trapping elements close together. The first catalyst acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under lean operating conditions. The catalyst system also comprises a second catalyst comprised of precious metals which acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap-enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: A catalyst system for use with an internal combustion engine to provide emissions reductions under lean and stoichiometric operating conditions. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst comprised of a newly developed Perovskite-based formulation having an ABO3 crystal structure designed to bring the precious metal and NOx trapping elements close together. The first catalyst acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under lean operating conditions. The catalyst system also comprises a second catalyst comprised of precious metals which acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap—enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap-enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap—enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3-SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3-SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap—enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3-SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: A catalyst system to provide emission reductions under lean and stoichiometric conditions. The catalyst system comprises a forward catalyst having a first cerium-free zone including oxides of aluminum, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and precious metals and a second zone with a lower loading of precious metals, oxides of aluminum, alkali metals or alkaline earth metals. This forward catalyst stores NOx emissions under lean conditions for subsequent reduction and converts HC, CO and NOx during stoichiometric operation. The second downstream catalyst includes precious metals, reduces emissions under stoichiometric conditions, and stores any residual NOx emitted from the first catalyst for subsequent reduction. In another embodiment, a forward catalyst has top and bottom layers designed to reduce emissions under lean conditions. In this embodiment, a second downstream catalyst is used to reduce emissions under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: A catalyst system for use with an internal combustion engine to provide emissions reductions under lean and stoichiometric operating conditions. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst comprised of a newly developed Perovskite-based formulation having an ABO3 crystal structure designed to bring the precious metal and NOx trapping elements close together. The first catalyst acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under lean operating conditions. The catalyst system also comprises a second catalyst comprised of precious metals which acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: A catalyst system to provide emission reductions under lean and stoichiometric conditions. The catalyst system comprises a forward catalyst having a first cerium-free zone including oxides of aluminum, alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and precious metals and a second zone with a lower loading of precious metals, oxides of aluminum, alkali metals or alkaline earth metals. This forward catalyst stores NOx emissions under lean conditions for subsequent reduction and converts HC, CO and NOx during stoichiometric operation. The second downstream catalyst includes precious metals, reduces emissions under stoichiometric conditions, and stores any residual NOx emitted from the first catalyst for subsequent reduction. In another embodiment, a forward catalyst has top and bottom layers designed to reduce emissions under lean conditions. In this embodiment, a second downstream catalyst is used to reduce emissions under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: A catalyst system for use with an internal combustion engine to provide emissions reductions under lean and stoichiometric operating conditions. The catalyst system comprises a first catalyst comprised of a newly developed Perovskite-based formulation having an ABO3 crystal structure designed to bring the precious metal and NOx trapping elements close together. The first catalyst acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under lean operating conditions. The catalyst system also comprises a second catalyst comprised of precious metals which acts primarily to maximize the reduction of emissions under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: This catalyst system simultaneously removes ammonia and enhances net NOx conversion by placing an NH3—SCR catalyst formulation downstream of a lean NOx trap. By doing so, the NH3—SCR catalyst adsorbs the ammonia from the upstream lean NOx trap generated during the rich pulses. The stored ammonia then reacts with the NOx emitted from the upstream lean NOx trap—enhancing the net NOx conversion rate significantly, while depleting the stored ammonia. By combining the lean NOx trap with the NH3—SCR catalyst, the system allows for the reduction or elimination of NH3 and NOx slip, reduction in NOx spikes and thus an improved net NOx conversion during lean and rich operation.

Abstract: A catalytic converter having a first highly loaded palladium or trimetal catalytic element containing palladium of relatively large particle size closely coupled to the engine exhaust manifold, followed by one or more second catalytic elements having high oxygen storage capacity to provide protection against warmed-up engine emissions break through, is efficient in reducing cold-start emissions through early catalyst light-off. The catalytic converter is advantageously used in conjunction with an engine strategy employing oscillative spark retard during warm up to further reduce catalyst light-off and transient spark advance dampening to eliminate spiking of HC and CO during engine transients. When employed in conjunction with secondary air injection, the engine EEC is programmed to delay air injection for a period following cold-start sufficient to assure that catalyst light-off is rapidly attained.

Abstract: A three-way catalyst for automotive emission control having a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina, a catalytic compound supported on said carrier having a major constituent of palladium, and a discontinuous phase of titanium oxide on or adjacent substantially each exposed particle of the catalytic compound. A method of making a three-way catalyst for automotive emission control, comprising: impregnating with palladium a mechanical carrier having a support comprised substantially of alumina to produce a composite having 0.05-5.0% palladium; and impregnating the composite with an organo-titanium compound and decomposing such impregnated compound to form a discontinuous titanium oxide phase on or adjacent the exposed portions of said composite.

Abstract: An integral manifold-muffler-catalyst device (for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders generating exhaust gases), comprising: (a) a monolithic catalyst having a plurality of aligned passages for effecting laminar flow of the exhaust gases therethrough while; (b) a high temperature resistant chamber assembly for close-coupling the catalyst to the engine having (i) an expansion chamber for substantially dissipating low frequency standing sound waves of said exhaust gases and for modifying high frequency sound waves of said exhaust gases and (ii) manifolding passages at one side of the expansion chamber for collecting and delivering the exhaust gases from the cylinders to the expansion chamber; and (c) means for effecting converging flow from said expansion chamber to and across substantially the full entrance face of said aligned passages, as well as from the catalyst, for effecting attenuation of high frequency sound waves carried by the exhaust gases.

Abstract: A dual-phase zeolite having a transition metal-containing zeolite phase and a transition metal-containing oxide phase. The catalytic material may be an intimate mixture of a phase-layered structure of a first phase constituted preferably of a copper-containing high silica zeolite and a second phase constituted of copper-containing zirconia.Methods are also disclosed for making a single-stage catalyst for removing NO.sub.x and HC at high efficiency in an oxygen-rich automotive exhaust gas, and for treating the exhaust gas with the dual-phase catalyst above.

Abstract: A dual-phase zeolite having a transition metal-containing zeolite phase and a transition metal-containing oxide phase. The catalytic material may be an intimate mixture of a phase-layered structure of a first phase constituted preferably of a copper-containing high silica zeolite and a second phase constituted of copper-containing zirconia.Methods are also disclosed for making a single-stage catalyst for removing NO.sub.x and HC at high efficiency in an oxygen-rich automotive exhaust gas, and for treating the exhaust gas with the dual-phase catalyst above.

Abstract: An integral manifold-muffler-catalyst device (for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion cylinders generating exhaust gases), comprising: (a) a monolithic catalyst having a plurality of aligned passages for effecting laminar flow of the exhaust gases therethrough while; (b) a high temperature resistant chamber assembly for close-coupling the catalyst to the engine having (i) an expansion chamber for substantially dissipating low frequency standing sound waves of said exhaust gases and for modifying high frequency sound waves of said exhaust gases and (ii) manifolding passages at one side of the expansion chamber for collecting and delivering the exhaust gases from the cylinders to the expansion chamber; and (c) means for effecting converging flow from said expansion chamber to and across substantially the full entrance face of said aligned passages, as well as from the catalyst, for effecting attenuation of high frequency sound waves carried by the exhaust gases.